Several Airlines Bent the Rules and Helped Evacuate Animals After Wildfires Hit Canada

Travel

 | May 12, 2016 | By Margo Gothelf

The city of Alberta, Canada is having a rough time right now thanks to a few out of control wild fires. The fires have caused the entire city of Fort McMurray to evacuate in early May. The evacuation resulted in 80,000 people temporarily finding shelter with over 2,000 structures being destroyed.

Along with the people who needed to be relocated, many animals found themselves without a place to go since many airlines make traveling with an animal very complicated. However, several airlines like Air Canada, Canadian North, and West Jet bent the rules and allowed the animals to board the plane with ease so they could remain with their owners without a kennel or carriers.

Air Canada flight just left with flight full of animals @RejectedAnimals @animalveg @The_Animal_Team @PatyPenna pic.twitter.com/MV8MJ5UkFF

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— Jen C (@jencme35) May 6, 2016

Some of the flights hosted up to 30 different animals.

Thanks you #westjet 130 passengers, 5 cats, and 19 dogs! And 2 turtles! @RejectedAnimals @animalveg @The_Animal_Team pic.twitter.com/Jn7wxqSND3

— Jen C (@jencme35) May 7, 2016

Plane full of evacuated people, dogs, cats, bunnies, and one tree frog headed from #FortMacFire #Wildfire #westjet pic.twitter.com/Hk0kNMxJPP

— Cas Courcelles (@cascourcelles) May 6, 2016

Our #YEG flight ops team figured since we're looking after Meow Meow she should have proper ID! @Deputy6720 #YMM pic.twitter.com/iOBpaoX731

— Canadian North ✈ (@CanadianNorth) May 6, 2016

Many of the animals who were left behind were taken out of the evacuated areas and will be reunited with their families.

Proud to be associated with @WestJet who we luv now even more seeing that pets and people are safe #FortMacStrong pic.twitter.com/WYTwVZzrEY

— Big Brothers Big Sis (@bbbspc) May 7, 2016

1 of our evacuee passengers from #YMM has gone into labour so our #yeg flight ops team is looking after "Meow Meow"! pic.twitter.com/G89Mnuurel

— Canadian North ✈ (@CanadianNorth) May 5, 2016

The crew treated the animals with the utmost respect making sure they had water and were comfortable.

Another nice picture shared on FB by our team member Heidi. We're proud to serve #YMM! #AlbertaStrong pic.twitter.com/yE2yXp6QHe

— Canadian North ✈ (@CanadianNorth) May 8, 2016

For the animals that were rescued, they will be taken to Edmonton and Calgary to be reunited with their owners.